Nick Blackburn | Starting Pitcher

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According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, six teams have checked in on free agent Nick Blackburn.

Blackburn, 31, underwent surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and may have to sit out a large chunk of the 2014 season. The Twins made the easy to decision to decline his $8 million option in October. He has a 4.85 career ERA and 1.47 career WHIP. Thu, Dec 5, 2013 01:07:00 PM

It's presumably his right knee, which has given him issues off and on throughout his career. Blackburn has posted a 5.02 ERA over six starts in the minors this season while working his way back from a pair of surgeries on his pitching arm. Tue, Aug 13, 2013 08:32:00 PM

Blackburn made five starts between the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate and Double-A squad as he works his way back from wrist surgery, posting a 3.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. General manager Terry Ryan said it's possible he could make it back up to the big club this season. "He’s getting there. His velocity is OK, around 88-90 [mph], I believe," Ryan said. "He’s got enough sink. He’s got enough velocity. It’s going to be [determined by his] location and breaking ball. He used to have an unhittable cutter." Sun, Jul 21, 2013 10:04:00 AM

It's presumably his right knee, which has given him issues off and on throughout his career. Blackburn has posted a 5.02 ERA over six starts in the minors this season while working his way back from a pair of surgeries on his pitching arm.

Blackburn made five starts between the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate and Double-A squad as he works his way back from wrist surgery, posting a 3.80 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. General manager Terry Ryan said it's possible he could make it back up to the big club this season. "He’s getting there. His velocity is OK, around 88-90 [mph], I believe," Ryan said. "He’s got enough sink. He’s got enough velocity. It’s going to be [determined by his] location and breaking ball. He used to have an unhittable cutter."

The hope is that he'll be ready to appear in a game for the Gulf Coast League Twins shortly after that. Recovering from a pair of surgeries on his pitching arm, Blackburn will eventually be added to Triple-A Rochester's rotation.

Nick Blackburn is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his right forearm last week.

Blackburn had surgery on October 25 to remove a bone chip from his right elbow, but he continued having problems after the procedure, necessitating another operation. While it's possible he could make it back in time for Opening Day, it certainly doesn't help his chances of winning a roster spot. The odds were probably already not good after he posted a 7.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 19 starts in 2012.

Nick Blackburn underwent arthroscopic surgery on October 25 to remove a bone chip from his right elbow.

It was a relatively minor procedure, and Blackburn is expected to be 100 percent for spring training. The veteran right-hander will be a non-roster invitee and must impress next spring to earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation. He posted an ugly 7.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 19 starts this season.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said the team is "going on without" Nick Blackburn and it's "up to him to get back in our good graces."

Blackburn was removed from the 40-man roster last month after putting up a 7.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 19 starts. Ryan said that the right-hander will be a non-roster invitee to spring training next year. The Twins owe him $5.5 million in the final year of his contract whether he makes the team or not. "He's got enough stuff," Ryan said. "Now it's a matter of using it and getting people out. He's going to have to convince some people that he's going to be a guy here, but he'll get a good look."

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. Blackburn gets the boot after posting an awful 7.39 ERA and 42/26 K/BB ratio in 98 2/3 innings across 19 starts with the Twins this season. Given his remaining salary (which includes $5.5 million in 2013), it's not a big surprise that he cleared waivers.

The Twins are considering optioning Nick Blackburn to Triple-A Rochester or sending him to the bullpen.

Or, they could just have him skip a start. Blackburn holds a 7.39 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 19 starts after getting drilled again Friday. "We're going to try to figure out what the right thing is to try and get this guy back on track," said Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony. "He had some concerning statements. 'I'm not sure what to do' -- when big-leaguers have thoughts like that, then you know their confidence is struggling."

Nick Blackburn was hit hard in Saturday’s loss to the Rays, allowing four runs on 11 hits over six innings.

Blackburn walked one and struck out two in the game. The Rays jumped all over him in the first inning, as B.J. Upton blasted a two-run homer and Matt Joyce immediately followed with a solo shot of his own. Blackburn then allowed another solo shot to Upton in the fifth. He’ll take a 4-8 record and 7.33 ERA into Friday’s matchup against the Mariners in Seattle.

Nick Blackburn allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings Sunday, taking the loss in Minnesota's 6-4 setback in Boston.

Blackburn struck out four and walked none in falling to 4-7. Blackburn had been quality in two of his past three starts coming into this afternoon, but is still the owner of a horrendous 7.42 ERA and 1.66 WHIP on the season. He remains well off the radar in all formats of fantasy.